NBA Team Valuations

#17 Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets
are owned by Stanley Kroenke (Net Worth: $2.7 billion),
who bought them in
2000
for $202 mil.

Wins-to-player cost ratio8 169Coach George Karl

Metro area population: 2,506,626Local revenue per fan:9 $31

Valuation Breakdown

The skinny
The Nuggets won 54 games during the 2008-09 season, the most since 1988, and made it to the Western Conference finals where they lost to the Lakers. Team owner Stan Kroenke's high payroll finally paid dividends as Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups and Nene had banner seasons. After so many disappointing seasons, the team's surge apparently caught Kroenke, who owns the Pepsi Center, by surprise as a World Wrestling Entertainment event was scheduled in August 2008 for May 25 2009, the same date the Nuggets had to host a playoff game against the Lakers. Although scheduling conflicts are not that unusual, WWE boss Vince McMahon made a huge fuss over the issue before putting his tail between his legs and moving on. The Pepsi Center is among the most successful privately financed arenas in the country and Kroenke has reduced his contractually obligated debt on the building to less than $70 million.

Sport: Portion of franchise's value attributable to revenue shared among all teams.
Market: Portion of franchise's value attributable to its city and market size.
Stadium: Portion of franchise's value attributable to its stadium.
Brand Management: Portion of franchise's value attributable to the management of its brand.
Revenues and operating income are for 08-09 season and are net of revenue sharing.
NA: Not applicable.Team Logos Courtesy NBA.

1Value of team based on current arena deal (unless new arena is pending) without deduction for debt (other than arena debt).
2Current team value compared with latest transaction price.
3Includes arena debt.
4Net of arena revenues used for debt payments.
5Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
6Includes benefits and bonuses.
7Includes club seats.
8Compares the number of wins per player payroll relative to the rest of the NBA. Postseason wins count twice as much as regular season wins. A score of 120 means that the team achieved 20% more victories per dollar of payroll compared with the league average.
9Arena and local media revenue generated per person in the metro area. Populations are adjusted for the number of teams in their metro area.